Slovenian company DARS d.d. has walked through a very dynamic and diverse path. “Connecting Slovenia” is the slogan the company chose many years ago and it’s still as relevant today! DARS not only expresses the integration of Slovenia in terms of the construction of the highway system but also connects the past with the present and navigates the direction of the future. Digitalisation plays a critical role in improving the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of building, managing, and maintaining motorways and expressways. And DARS d.d. can be considered as one of the crucial co-creators of Slovenian’s economy, especially in terms of the development of transportation infrastructure. By providing efficient and effective digital solutions, the company helps improve the productivity, safety, and sustainability of the transportation network, which can in turn drive economic growth and development. Motorways and expressways are key components of the transportation network, and efficient management and maintenance of these assets as well as stimulating innovation are essential for ensuring the smooth functioning of the economy.

C-Roads Slovenia

C-Roads introduces cooperative intelligent transport systems for the transfer of information in the present time. These systems are based on infrastructure-vehicle and vehicle-infrastructure communications. C-Roads are primarily intended to increase traffic safety, improve mobility and reduce harmful emissions and have a direct impact on society. Due to the quick detection of irregularities on the road such as traffic accidents, animals on the road, irregular driving, etc., drivers can get the necessary information faster than before. With the help of the PROMET+ application, which directly transmits what is happening on the road, drivers are immediately aware of what is happening and thus ensure the safe behavior of other road users.

Currently, the C-Roads system is set up on the Postojna-Divača highway and can be used by anyone equipped with the necessary technology. The plan is to equip the entire highway infrastructure in Slovenia with the technology.

Building information modeling (BIM)

Digitalisation supports projects in all phases of the life cycle of the instrastructure – from the beginning of the design to the subsequent maintenance and management of the infrastructure. One of the first such projects is the second tube of the Karavanke tunnel, which is being built using BIM (Building information modeling) digital technology. The simulator detects errors in documentation and construction more quickly and easily, thereby reducing the time of the construction process as well as the costs of the project itself.

The simulator is also used in the inspection of highways with the help of drones – especially after natural disasters and the search for possible damage to the roads, as this ensures safe continued use and transportability.

E-vignette and DarsGo

DarsGo is equipped with a device that drivers install on the inside windshield, which is detected by road equipment (cameras) while driving, automatically calculates tolls based on the distance traveled, and thus enables faster traffic flow and a reduction in vehicle consumption.

The e-vignette is intended for all smaller vehicles, with a maximum weight of up to 3.5 tons. In addition to Slovenia, the e-vignette can also be purchased in 9 other countries: Austria, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and the Chech Republic.

Traffic monitoring

The entire highway infrastrucure is built on digital traffic monitoring – sharing information regarding weather conditions, signaling, traffic accidents, etc. and is fully covered by video surveillance and sensors. All changes introduced by DARS are aimed at people and changing the way we think toward a brighter, safer, and greener future.

I had just arrived in Sarajevo for a short break and was shocked and saddened by the texts I received, family missing, homes and businesses obliterated and everyone frozen in icy fear, as the shakes continued day after day and the sparsely clad inhabitants too fearful to enter their homes. I felt helpless and deeply saddened as family deaths were reported daily.

Money, clothes, food and blankets were needed urgently. Urgent fundraising was required, but I needed a voice. Having worked for The Adriatic in the past, I approached their kindly editor, Tine Kracun, and asked for his support in organizing a fundraising Turkish breakfast for the Earthquake Fund. He readily agreed, so all I needed was a venue. And the food. And the people.

My next stop on that frantic morning was to the Grand Plaza, start at the top, I thought and work down. To my delight and amazement, they also readily agreed to donate their luxurious VIP Lounge and the coffee and tea, as well as their amazingly helpful Events Manager, Anja Zagar. Next stop, food – as an unaccomplished cook, I can manage grilled peppers and humous, but not much more – but my Turkish friend, Event Manager, Ebru Mumcouglu came to the rescue, despite already being heavily involved with arranging clothes and blanket collections. She coordinated three or four Turkish friends to make the breakfast an authentic Turkish delight. Ebru and her friends donated the most delicious Turkish breakfast salads of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber and olives, cheese and meat borek, baklava, bread and real Turkish honey. The Adriatic and I provided fresh farm eggs, tomatoes, feta cheese, humous, peppers, olives and a variety of (Slovenian) jams. We estimated 25-30 attendees.

We advertised on Facebook and Linkedin and requested an RSVP. No replies were forthcoming, and friends were giving ambivalent “maybe’s” and by the night before we had received precisely zero replies! I had a sleepless night. Slovenia is not accustomed to this kind of fundraising, I was told.

The next morning at 7.30 am, the food started to arrive and by 8.30 am there was a breakfast buffet fit for a sultan, and we waited with bated breath…

My friend, Andreja arrived first, a Professor from the university, and gradually, people trickled in filling the grand table with a host of tongues – Russian, Hungarian, English, Turkish and of course, Slovenian, and by 9.00 am the breakfast was in full flow. I was too wound up to eat, and although I hope I managed to thank everyone that came personally, I didn’t make my intended speech.

However, I am fully aware that the attendees knew why they were there and everyone contributed to the Disasters Emergency Committee, Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal. We made 500 Euros.

As the crowd dispersed, we were still left with a feast of food, and with the agreement of ISR and Ebru, the hotel helped us package up the remaining food and Anja, the hotel manager and my dentist friend, Ljubica, helped med carry three large bags of goodies around the corner to the Kralje Street Hostel for the homeless where the kings of the street, had a meal fit for a king!

Fundraising is not common in Slovenia, and I am hoping that we, in Slovenia, can hold quizzes, tennis tournaments and other fun events to raise money and awareness for needy causes in the future.

The rising demand has made it difficult for farmers and has put a strain on the environment, however local food production reduces the amount of energy required to transport food, and it also reduces the need for artificial preservatives and additives. In addition, buying local food allows for better traceability and accountability, consequently, local food production is beneficial for all involved, and it should comprise a major part of any supermarket’s offerings.

Observing the positive trends of choosing locally produced food

Buying local food is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint, as it eliminates the need for long-distance transportation of food. Local food production is another way to reduce your environmental footprint while still having access to fresh, local food. Furthermore, by supporting local farms, you are directly investing in the future of local agriculture and food production in your area, and this helps to ensure that there are local, sustainable sources of food for many generations to come.

Supermarkets are increasingly offering more and more local food from farmers to meet the demand for fresher, more sustainable and more nutritious food options. By supporting these local farmers, supermarkets are helping to strengthen the local economy while also providing customers with access to delicious and healthy food. Not only are customers able to enjoy the very freshest fruit and vegetables, but they can also find small-batch jams, sauces, honey, and other products made by local artisans. As more people become aware of the benefits of buying local produce, supermarkets can widen their range of local food and help to support local farmers and the local economy.

Mercator leads the way in food security

Mercator is at the forefront of providing Slovenia and its population with high quality and widely available locally produced food. Food security has been a top priority in Slovenia and worldwide since the start of pandemic. It was at this time that Mercator’s professionalism, dedication and wide-ranging network of stores managed to provide households in Slovenia and the Adriatic region with a stable supply of food and other household necessities. In autumn, as macroeconomic changes began to take place, Mercator responded with a national campaign slogan – Your every purchase makes a difference (Slovenian: Vsak vaš nakup šteje), which encouraged Slovenian consumers to purchase high quality locally produced food to boost food security and to support local producers. For instance, Mercator buys 50,000 tons of milk and dairy products yearly from local suppliers.

Local food production and self-supply are crucial for sustainable food production and for strengthening local economies. By purchasing shares in local producers, we are not only supporting them but also supporting local communities by ensuring that they have access to fresh, nutritious food and that local businesses remain operable.

The days of going home early for a favourite series or a much-anticipated film are well and truly behind us. Today’s pace of life dictates many different user needs and high and demanding expectations that are constantly growing. We can have access to digital services virtually anytime and anywhere, and the same applies to our TV-watching habits.

The figures speak for themselves – more than 5 billion people or twothirds of the world’s population use mobile phones, and the number of internet users is of similar dimensions. In quantitative terms, this translates into almost 7 hours a day or 40% of our waking time spent on the internet or mobiles. Television has almost 5.5 billion viewers worldwide, with users spending almost 2 hours a day on linear TV and almost an hour and a half on TV streaming content.

In the Balkans, the United Group has taken the lead in meeting the needs and expectations of the region’s inhabitants. Here, the TV and digital solution provider’s comparative advantage is advanced digitalisation. After being the first in the region to launch digital TV non-linear features such as rewind, fast-forward and the basics of video-on-demand, they have now gone a step further by improving the user experience, explains Ditka Maučec, Product Director at United Group.

To do this, we needed a significant amount of know-how, experience and flexibility, and of course a platform that could be customised. We developed EON, a smart and advanced platform that has delivered a unique user experience from the very beginning, and offers not only live TV viewing, but also the indispensable non-linear way of watching TV content anytime and anywhere – on users’ mobile phones, tablets, and computers, without plugging in a to set-top box. Hence, EON offers the ultimate experience, allowing users to enjoy their content in the best way possible.’

40% of views are via time-shift

One of the key characteristics of today’s users is that they want to manage their own time. They no longer just watch TV on their TV sets, but increasingly on their mobile phones, tablets and computers. ‘Our average user has 2.5 devices activated to watch TV and 40% of viewing time happens via time-shift and video-on demand. On mobile devices, this percentage rises to more than 60%’, says United Group’s Product Director.

The TV schemes include a wide range of local TV programmes, many of which are synchronised or subtitled. ‘Users can search for content and operate their TVs in their native language without the need for a smart TV, as these solutions are already part of the package we offer today. The EON Smart Box turns any TV into a smart TV and gives you access to the world of the internet,’ says Maučec. ‘The United Group has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. They have doubled the number of subscribers in eight Western Balkans countries and positioned themselves as the number one regional provider. They offer premium TV and digital content in the local languages, apart from English, with local channels and localised applications included in every single market where they are present.’ Explains Maučec.

Trend setters

In the digital world, everyone is in competition with everyone else, and it’s important to understand that, no matter what industry you’re in. In the digital world, your competition is Amazon, Uber and other digital platform providers. How is the United Group coping with this?

The company’s vision for its premium EON solution is to become an indispensable partner for all generations of South East European consumers, providing them with a superior TV experience. ‘The interface is virtually all-inone. It’s modern and intuitive, and with the help of the advanced algorithms we use, we can give our users recommendations on exactly what they like best. We are highly competitive with all the global players in this area and we are continually developing better and better products.’ says Maučec.

The company’s main pillar is its development centre, United Cloud. It is the leading innovation centre in the region. The centre develops digital services in the telecommunications, media and TV industries, as well as integrated solutions for products of the future. The plan for the centre is to eventually offer innovations that others will follow and drive trends in user experience across the region.

Leader in the competitive mobile market

Mobile telephony is an integral part of the digitalisation ecosystem. Telemach is a mobile operator under the umbrella of the United Group, and it has been the fastest-growing mobile operator in Slovenia for many years. However, Maučec remarks that the competition for users is challenging, as the Slovenian market is highly developed, similarly in Croatia and Greece where the company is also present. In Croatia, the basis of Telemach’s business is mobile telephony, and they offer upgraded packages, but they also have a strong focus on building the most technologically advanced fixed network offering high gigabyte speeds in order to offer the fastest internet speed to the largest possible population. At the same time, the integration of newly acquired companies NOVA and WIND is taking place in Greece, and they have just started offering fixed and mobile services there.

Mobile phone use has long ceased to be just about making calls. Today, communication is done through the use of data, via applications such as Viber, WhatsUp, Telegram and others. The same is the case with social media platforms that have become the chief information and amusement channels around the world. Users demand availability, everywhere and at any time, and they want seamless access to their favourite music, TV shows, and sports events. ‘We at United Group are aware of two things, firstly, the importance of reliable infrastructure, therefore we are constantly developing and investing in cutting-edge technologies, and secondly, that data transmission is of paramount importance for the needs of today’s users. We have been steadily increasing it in our packages at no extra cost. While the NAJVEČ package has been offering unlimited communication for some time, this year it has been joined by the ŠE VEČ package with unlimited data. Since the launch in 2015, all of our mobile packages have followed their original mission, which is based on unlimited or high data transfer, transparency, the inclusion of additional services and a seamless mobile network.’ says Maučec.

The United Group in Bulgaria was also the first to launch a brand new portfolio of mobile packages with unlimited data, differing only in internet speed. ‘Due to strong interest among users in Bulgaria we launched a similar package in Slovenia, and we were proven right as the users’ response was extraordinary,’ Maučeč explains.

Increasing the share of renewable energy sources is an important step in reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, with  increased energy security alongside decreased dependence on third countries lately being stressed as an advantage. More than ever before, the European Union has been looking at new ways to ensure energy security; this can be significantly facilitated by energy companies which, by investing in new production facilities such as wind and solar power plants, are helping to increase energy independence. One of such companies, Petrol, is planning to plug its three largest solar power plants into the power grid by summer 2023.

The Petrol Group already operates two wind parks with a total of 18 wind power plants in Croatia, five small hydroelectric power plants in Bosnia and one in Serbia, and 30 smaller solar power plants installed on buildings in Slovenia. Petrol is proud to have also started building large stand-alone solar power plants, the first three in the area of Knin in Croatia: Suknovci, Pliskovo, and Vrbnik, with a total installed capacity of 22 MW, together representing one of the largest solar power plants in the region.

The three  stand-alone solar power plants are situated in rocky settings above the Adriatic Coast marked by infertile soil and an abundance of sunny days, making the area perfect for solar. The three solar parks, Suknovci, Pliskovo, and Vrbnik, will comprise of 40,100 solar panels that will generate enough green electricity for as many as 8,500 households. To minimise the adverse effects on the environment, the substructure of the solar power plants is attached to ground-mounted foundations with no concrete reinforcement; therefore, the solar power plants can be easily removed after the end of their lifespan and the original appearance of the area can be quickly restored.

In the context of the energy transition and with the goal to reduce its own carbon footprint as well as because of the advantages delivered by self-sufficiency and local energy generation, Petrol has decided to instal solar panels on its own buildings, such as rooftops of its points of sale, the latter as part of the Petrol Green project which is partly financed through a grant received from the Cohesion Fund. In the first phase of the project, solar panels will be installed on 46 points of sale, followed by 24 in the second phase. Petrol has set a goal to equip its entire point-of-sale network with solar panels; this way, its points of sale will become as self-sufficient as possible and generate own energy which, alongside storage batteries, will also be used for e-charging infrastructure.

In addition to investing in the construction of own renewable energy production, the Petrol Group is installing solar power plants as part of its comprehensive energy solutions for various stakeholders – public buildings, industry, other business activities, and households. Petrol connects several solutions into one complete story for its partners and helps them design a new concept of an energy system which is modern, efficient, environmentally friendly and energy self-sufficiency focused. Last year, Petrol made an important step towards a green future in cooperation with Cinkarna Celje. The result of their cooperation is the installation of Petrol’s largest solar power plant in Slovenia, and one of the many planned by Cinkarna Celje, with a capacity of 1 MW. The solar power plant comprises 2,222 solar modules with a total rated capacity of 1 MW and the estimated annual electricity generation of 1,160 MWh, enough for about 330 average households.

High energy prices are impacting the competitiveness of European companies, with many expecting a decrease in the demand for their products next year. How do you view the current state of the economy in Slovenia?

Though it is true that uncertainties are increasing due to inflation and rising energy prices, the state of the Slovenian economy is actually very good. This is evident in the very, very low unemployment numbers. Companies are still looking for a quality workforce which will continue to be very important. Productivity and profitability also remain high, and order books are full, which means that business operations will be stable for some time. The Slovenian economy is also one of the most diversified economies in Europe, since we do not depend on a single industry or a single market. Shocks are therefore easier to withstand compared to the economies that depend on individual industries.

Another evidence of the stable state of the economy is a record low indebtedness. At the end of November, Slovenian companies had approximately EUR 11,6 billion in loans, which represents 20% of GDP and is by far the lowest in Europe, where the average is 40% of GDP. For comparison: when entering the crisis in 2008, Slovenian companies had EUR 20 billion in loans, which was almost 60% of GDP at the time. The companies are therefore in good financial condition, with liquidity and low indebtedness, while at the same time the banks are also highly liquid and well capitalized.

All this are good predictions for the times to come, even though economists are aware that the growth of the past nine years cannot only go upwards indefinitely. There will be a certain correction, but the question is how severe it will be and how we will endure it. As said, compared to other EU countries, we are very well prepared. With a comprehensive and consistent policy that adequately supports all affected segments, and with the cooperation of all stakeholders in society, Slovenia can be among the winners. To illustrate I usually like to refer to the famous quote of Ayrton Senna said: ‘You can’t overtake 15 cars in the sun, but you can in the rain.’ The rainy times are definitely coming, however, the challenges also bring opportunities. We are convinced that our home SEE region has enormous potential in various areas, from infrastructure and logistics to the green transition.

How severe do you expect the crisis to be?

Perhaps it is a fortune in a misfortune that Slovenia and the SEE region are more used to the inflation than the countries in the Western Europe, where inflation has not been an issue for 70 years. Nevertheless, the rise in prices, especially of basic raw materials, is already causing a drop in purchasing power and, to a certain extent, the demand. The current crisis is most dangerous for labour-intensive industries and industries with relatively low added value and low profitability. But crisis would be worse if there was no supply of energy products, which would lead to a reduction or even halt of production in many places. With these inflationary shocks, I would advise companies to take care of working capital and liquidity.

On the other hand, common sense is returning: every new investment and new development will have to be carefully considered to mitigate short-term, especially supplier liquidity shocks in the entire economy. At NLB, we advocate long-term partnership, so I advise companies to come to us in time so that we can discuss their situation and ensure sufficient liquidity for the upcoming uncertain and challenging period.

How is NLB Group affected by the current economic conditions in the region?

All the countries in the region are recording solid economic growth and for the time being we are not seeing any major upheavals. It is also a good sign that all the countries are gradually integrating towards the European Union. The strength of individual countries will be reflected in how they react to the anomalies that are occurring, for example with a cap on energy prices. Our banks in the region are focused mainly on loans to residents and small and medium-sized companies, the span here is large, so we do not anticipate any major problems. These economies are not heavily involved in global trade which further mitigates their exposure to shocks.

As it stands at the moment, the hike in energy prices in 2023 will be ten-fold. How can the banks help companies weather the storm?

Banks can most definitely help. Precisely in connection with the energy crisis has NLB, for example, already played an important, systemic role. The government namely addressed the issue and helped the electricity segment survive the ups and downs of energy prices with systemic laws, NLB, however, was the one that organized all syndicated loans for this segment and provided it with the necessary liquidity so that Slovenia could obtain sufficient amounts of energy. From Ljubljana, we have also organized similar solutions for Montenegro, which had major problems with supply due to low water levels, and also for Serbia.

And now if we focus solely on companies: Slovenian companies have a robust cash flow, but their key challenge at this time is definitely the energy price. However, there have been some positive developments. At long last, we have seen the longawaited measures of the European Commission. The agreement of the EU members on the mechanism for limiting gas stock market prices has caused gas and electricity prices to fall considerably, and with this the offers for supplying Slovenian companies with electricity also fell. This is, for now, good news. If the prices are too high, then no economy will be able to sustain them. In this case companies would opt for extreme measures such as limiting and closing production, because they would not be able to cope with such energy costs.

So how can the bank help? On average, Slovenian economy has little debt, and our banks are extremely liquid and capital adequate. Taking care of working capital is key in companies, also due to rising energy costs, to ensure they have enough liquidity to weather any shocks. We will certainly help them with this. Companies must change their short-term business plan, especially the liquidity plan for the next few months. It is also necessary to prepare for the worst case scenario, define the extent to which the profitability of production survives and secure liquidity in time.

The change in business strategy due to the energy component will certainly be used by some companies for a simultaneous sustainable transformation. This is the right direction, which we enthusiastically encourage and support, as well as live by ourselves. In recent years, NLB and the NLB Group have focused intensively on integrating sustainability into our daily operations and promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy both in Slovenia and in the entire Southeast Europe region where we operate.

Could you explain in what way is NLB Group integrating sustainability in its own business?

True, in the NLB Group we have put sustainability of our decisions and actions at the heart of our business, and we are truly dedicated to these topics. What I would like to stress out in the beginning though is that contrary to the all-too-common misconception, sustainability doesn’t only include environmental (let’s say “green”) issues, but also equally important social and governmental components. In the NLB Group therefore, we are addressing all of them.

We have, for example, established the NLB Group Sustainability framework and upgraded our management of climate and environmental risks. As the first bank from Slovenia, we have committed ourselves to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, and joined the United Nations Net Zero Banking Alliance.

We address the green strategy everywhere: we have consciously decided not to finance coal energy (this is mostly an issue in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina), we are also intensely co-operating Alfi Green fund to finance green projects in our home region. We are introducing new sustainable products, such as the so-called green loans for corporate investments in the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and the reduction of the carbon footprint. Together with the EBRD and Erste, we have financed the wind farm project in Kosovo, which is already in operation and can supply more than 100,000 households with electricity, i.e. up to 10% of Kosovo’s consumption. Shortly, another similar project will be concluded in Serbia. In addition to financial support, we also have a great deal of knowledge and experience with which we can contribute to a company’s easier and smoother sustainable transition. Of course, we also take care of our own carbon footprint.

And how does this translate in concrete steps?

There are almost too many of them to list, but we can, perhaps, illustrate our efforts with our own, internal measures. For example: for almost 3 years now, NLB employees have had the option of a hybrid way of working, if the work process allows them to do so. It is a combination of working from home and working in the office (4 days: 1 day). This option is well received, so that well over 700 employees are already working in this way. This, on the one hand, significantly improves the quality of life of our employees, contributes to reducing the burden on the environment, and also reduces the need for office space. So, in a few years we will be able to transfer our headquarters from the current building which was built in the 1970s and is, from the energy point of view, vastly inefficient to premises outside the strict city center which will be green and self-sufficient.

We are very successful and actively supporting our customers in the region to learn how to use digitalised services so visiting branches will no longer be necessary. Less branches will significantly reduce the carbon footprint.

All our efforts have already yielded recognition. We are very proud that NLB received its first ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) rating in December last year by Sustainalytics, one of the world’s leading independent ESG research, ratings and data firms. The ESG Risk Rating places NLB among the best 15% banks assessed by the company and we are the first bank with headquarters and an exclusive strategic interest in Southeast Europe which has obtained this rating.

You are focusing on supporting green projects in a region that still heavily relies on coal for energy production. How can this coal reliance be reversed?

This is not the case for the whole region. Croatia has made big strides in transforming its energy production and consumption. There is also a huge opportunity for Slovenia and Croatia to find a common solution for nuclear energy (as transitional energy) because there is already joint ownership of the Krško nuclear plant. Montenegro is also relatively self-sufficient and its energy production is approximately half green and half thermal.

The countries with the most challenges in this field (and, on the other hand, also the most opportunities) are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia. In BiH, all energy production comes entirely from coal, hence why its cities are the most polluted in the world and one of the reasons why its inhabitants are leaving the country.

But the problem is exasperated further because BiH doesn’t have the resources or access to financial markets to deal with the problem itself and this is where I believe the European Union has to step in and put together a comprehensive development plan or strategy for the region. It namely needs to invest in energy infrastructure to clean up the air. Furthermore, the region is also in dire need of investments in other infrastructure, especially roads and railways. Getting from Ljubljana to Sarajevo, Skopje or Podgorica is currently mission impossible and these key cities need to be connected. These are all common sense, but highly demanding and important measures that need to be taken in the region as soon as possible in order to enhance the quality of life, which is paramount if we wish to keep young people and talents. In the NLB Group, we are strongly advocating all of this and supporting these incentives with everything that is at our disposal. Last but not least, this is our home and we want to see it thrive.

To facilitate a successful digital transformation, it is crucial to have strong leadership and clear objectives, adequate funding and resources, an effective implementation strategy – and last, but not least, relevant and informative data. There’s an old saying, ‘Garbage in, garbage out’, which means that if you input senseless or defective data, you’re going to get a meaningless output. Digital transformation should be tailored to meet the specific needs of every individual and geared to adhere to the laws of the country. And this is where the use of secondary data comes in – it is the process of collecting and analyzing aggregated and anonymous data that has been previously collected for a different purpose, but whose output can provide beneficial insights into behavior, trends and patterns that can be used to update and enhance digital transformation initiatives without compromising the trust and safety of personal data. This can provide many useful and innovative solutions in all sectors. This article aims to highlight the value and benefits from the transfer of learning between the healthcare, insurance, and banking sectors. They can learn from each other’s experience, as they often face similar obstacles in the context of secondary use of data and digital transformation.

Cross-sectoral collaboration happens when two or more organizations from different sectors come together to work on a specific project or initiative; it involves an exchange of knowledge and resources between entities in different industries. The main pillars of a successful relationship are mutual understanding, trust, and commitment, in addition to having good communication, shared goals, and a mutual understanding of the benefits of working together. Each partner also needs to be open minded with regards to learning, adapting, and being innovative in order to take full advantage of the different mindset and expertise of the other entity.

This open-minded approach allows both partners to gain new insights, develop innovative solutions to complex problems and discover new ways to leverage resources. A recognized and very well-used example of cross-sectoral collaboration involving the health, banking, and insurance sectors is the development of healthcare payment models. In this type of collaboration, banks, insurers, and healthcare providers work together to develop payment models that are more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective. This collaboration enables healthcare providers to receive payments more quickly, reduces paperwork and administrative costs and improves the financial health of both providers and patients.

When contemplating the secondary use of data and digital transformation, the sensitive question of trust alongside the increased security risk are among the top concerns. However, issues of trust can be overcome by implementing stringent controls that ensure the security and privacy of data, making sure that the data is encrypted and stored securely, as well as the use of user authentication protocols to verify the identity of users. Organizations should also have policies and procedures in place that restrict access to data to those fully authorized.

Finally, organizations should regularly monitor and audit access to data to ensure that it is being used appropriately. A good example of overcoming trust issues between users is in the insurance sector, for example, the insurer within most insurance organizations can easily access a clear and comprehensive privacy policy that outlines the manner in which customer data is stored, used and shared. The process of making changes to the policy and communicating them to their customers is clear and transparent. Insurance organizations also provide detailed information about their services and ensure that customer queries are answered quickly and accurately through online self-service portals. These portals also enable customers to access their policy information and manage their policy online, such as viewing their policy details, paying their premium, filing a claim, and making changes to their policy. On the other hand, security risks in the banking business are addressed using multifactor authentication systems. Users are required to provide more than one type of authentication, for example, use of passwords, biometric scans or SMS codes, to access their accounts. This makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to sensitive information, and thus protects both the bank and its customers.

So one may ask why the two aforementioned examples of effective working practices in banking and insurance can’t be transferred in a meaningful way to the field of healthcare? The field of healthcare in Slovenia and in the countries of the Western Balkans is one of the more complex sectors, as it connects stakeholders from many different fields, namely, politics, pharmaceuticals, public and private institutes as well as product and service providers. However, the optimization and development of health systems is necessary – especially with regards to the management of the limited resources available to meet the needs of an aging population. Slovenia is one of the EU Member States that is anticipated to have one of the largest increases in social expenditure and health services related to the aging population by the year 2060. However, many of these challenges can be solved using open and trustworthy health data systems. The anonymized data can be used to identify phenomena and trends, as well as aiding the development of the healthcare system through various analytical approaches and the combination of data into meaningful data sets.

Interoperability of data and services is crucial. It supplies a secure exchange of data between different providers and systems, as well as sectors, and leads to efficient digital transformation. The Minister of Digital Transformation, Emilija Stojmenova Duh, stated that digital transformation will be one of the key priorities of the Slovenian government in the coming year. Motivating people to engage is a long-term commitment, ensuring that each partner understands the benefits and has an open mind with regards to adaptation and innovation. However, the anticipated challenges of an aging society and the problems facing the healthcare system cannot wait. They are already here, we must face them and find innovative solutions, and secondary use of data and digital transformation is the way ahead.